It’s my Senior year, now what?
You’ve accomplished three or more years of college studying what you love and it’s finally the last year before you graduate. Now that you’re here, it feels like there’s everything to do - but you’re not even sure what exactly to do!
First of all, congrats on making it this far! Only about 38% of adults are college graduates, so no matter how you got here, that’s something to be proud of. Each year of your college education is a little different, but your last year is the most important to prepare yourself for your next steps.
The below is a general guide to help students through their last year. Some items may or may not apply to you as a graduate, be sure to consult your counselor or school for the steps to take during your senior year!
1. Soak it all in
Really, this cheesy part is probably the most important thing. You’re finally going to experience some of your “lasts” and boy is it going to hit you. Your last-first-day of school, your last time living with some of your best friends, your last drink at your favorite bar, your last class with one of your best professors, etc.
Think twice when you don’t feel like doing something - FOMO is real senior year!
2. Talk with your counselor
One of the best things you can do the first few weeks of class is make an appointment with your counselor. Sit down with them and go through all the classes you have taken, classes you are taking currently, and the requirements you need in order to graduate.
You’ll be surprised to hear how many of your classmates end up having issues with their graduation requirements because they didn't do this and ended missing something when it was too late! If you happen to have missed a class you needed to take, this is a great time to make a plan of action with your counselor to make sure you graduate on time.
3. Create your resume & cover letter
A resume and cover letter take a lot of time to create, and are so important to have when applying to internships and jobs. Starting this during your first semester or even before will set you up for success once it’s time to apply. Your school should have a careers website where they provide support, although there are plenty of outside resources that help with this as well.
4. Apply to internships and future careers
Once you have your resume and cover letter all set, you’ll want to start applying to internships or jobs. If you don’t have an internship, I’d recommend applying to one right away as you’d typically want at least two on your resume before you apply for your future career.
You can apply for career opportunities anytime, although they typically hire about a month out of your graduation time. Most bigger companies can hire up to six months out, so make sure to do your research in advance.
5. Order your graduation regalia
As a senior photographer, I cannot stress enough how important it is to order your cap & gown in time, not only for when you walk but also your graduation photos! Your school should make your graduation regalia available the first day of your last semester; so if you’re graduating May 2023, you should be able to start ordering January 2023.
Learn more about ordering your cap and gown!
6. Book your graduation photographer
It’s important to order your graduation regalia early to be able to book your graduation photos. My sessions fill up fast and I often don’t have last-minute spots available.
Ordering graduation regalia as soon as you can will help you be prepared and make sure you can book your favorite photographer in a timely manner! Keep in mind getting your photos back can take up to 3 weeks. You’ll then need to add in any time for graduation announcements.
Most importantly, research your photographer. Each photographer has a different style, price point, and way they run their business. Make sure to do your research to know you’re working with someone who you’ll enjoy working and love the photos they produce.
As a senior photographer, I love working with soon-to-be graduates to create timeless memories. My images are candid and natural; we laugh until our cheeks are sore and you can expect to get your feet a little dirty, hair caught in the wind, and make some great memories.
